MANILA, Philippines, October 10 ------ Justin Brownlee used the four-point line to full effect and steered Barangay Ginebra to a rousing win to open the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup. Brownlee hit a record five four-pointers and finished with 33 points as the Gin Kings coasted to a 122-105 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, October 9.
The three-time Best Import knocked three of those long bombs in the third quarter, allowing Ginebra to blow the game wide open en route to its fourth straight win after its surprising 3-0 sweep of rival Meralco in the quarterfinals. “Since the four-point line has been introduced in the PBA, it is something that teams in this league have taken advantage of,” said Brownlee, who also shot 3-of-5 from three-point range and added 8 rebounds and 5 assists. “Me, myself, and us at Ginebra, we practice those shots. Just trying to continue to practice them and get better and better and being more comfortable taking them in the game.”
Stephen Holt also shone in the win with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Gin Kings pounced on a weary Beermen side that is coming off a grueling best-of-five battle against Converge that went the distance. Enjoying a weeklong break, Ginebra jumped to a 63-58 halftime lead then pulled away for good as Brownlee caught fire for 20 points in the third quarter alone.
Import EJ Anosike tallied 27 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals for San Miguel, while June Mar Fajardo put up 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists.
The Scores:
Barangay Ginebra 122 – Brownlee 33, Holt 30, Abarrientos 13, Thompson 10, Ahanmisi 9, J. Aguilar 9, Pinto 9, Devance 8, Adamos 1, Cu 0.
San Miguel 105 – Anosike 27, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Perez 13, Ross 7, Rosales 6, Romeo 6, Enciso 6, Cruz 4, Tautuaa 2, Nava 0, Brondial 0
Quarters : 27-28, 63-58, 97-78, 122-105.
Source: rappler.com
Editor's Note:
In the first game, TNT banked on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a third quarter eruption from Rey Nambatac and its collective effort on the defensive end to defeat Rain or Shine, 90-81. Hollis-Jefferson had 26 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and four blocks to lead TNT. Game 2 is set Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum where TNT goes for a 2-0 lead over Rain or Shine.
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